Beyond the Nest Reviews Blackfriars' Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street
by Carol White Llewellyn, Editor, BeyondTheNest.com
Congratulations to the Blackfriars Theatre Cast, Crew and Artistic Team of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on the resoundingly successful opening to their 75th Anniversary Season! Congratulations also on the special proclamation made last night, in recognition and honor of their 75th Anniversary by the City of Rochester and Monroe County!
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is one of Stephen Sondheim’s darkest musicals. It began in the 1840s as a story in a magazine, and was soon converted into play format. Sondheim recognized the life music could breathe into the tale, and wrote this heavily-orchestrated production, with music guaranteed to haunt you as you leave the theater. The power of Blackfriars’ production is leavened by the soaring voices and dynamic musical range of this cast.
From the moment the cast bursts on scene—the tawdry streets of London—they grab you by the throat and hold your attention. We quickly come to understand Sweeney Todd’s gradual descent into..is it evil or madness…once he discovers that his lovely wife Lucy has been lost to him during the time he was transported, as punishment, to Australia on trumped-up charges. What is left for him upon return is to try to recover his daughter Johanna, who has become a ward of the felonious Judge Turpin, who sentenced him because he coveted Todd’s wife Lucy. Mrs. Lovett, a down-and-out pie maker, who has long been smitten with Todd (previously known as the barber Benjamin Barker, before his extradition), is initially along for the ride. She eventually becomes a mastermind accessory in Todd’s scheme to extract vengeance upon the Judge and the Beadle, who was Turpin's accomplice in his dastardly deeds.
Carl Del Buono’s Sweeney Todd is a robust creation who teeters a fine line between grief, madness, and fury. I can almost see Del Buono standing in front of a mirror, working to develop the perilous look that reveals Todd’s dangerous, on-the-edge-of-insanity mental state. Del Buono’s booming yet often melodious voice conveys the depth of this character’s desperation.
As Mrs. Lovett, Mary Timbali Hoffman provides a generous slice of comic relief, made all the more humorous by our assumption that she is a “poor little London pie maker, just trying to make ends meet,” when she is actually a Machiavellian manipulator. With her many beautifully-rendered songs and her impeccable comic timing, Hoffman makes Mrs. Lovett the perfect foil for Del Buono’s Sweeney Todd.
Judge Turpin (David Munnell) and the Beadle (John Caboot), are the diabolical duo you love to hate. Caboot’s vocal range is astounding. In fact, most in this cast…from leads to ensemble…had an extraordinary vocal range that Music Director Andy Pratt leveraged to great effect. One such actor whose voice amazes is Grace Plassmeyer as Todd’s daughter, the beautiful Johanna, with whom Sailor Anthony Hope (Lucas Case Brown) falls in love. The two share some of the most beautiful songs as Anthony makes plans to rescue Johanna from Turpin, her evil ward, who has ensconced her in an insane asylum after she refuses his advances.
As the simple street urchin Tobias Ragg, Max Ruscio goes almost unnoticed in Act One as Perelli’s (George Barberi) swindling assistant, but in Act Two, he shines. Although not large, his is a lynchpin role which he delivers with an entrancing voice and exacting timing, particularly in the final scene. Katelyn Machnica, as the Beggar Woman, weaves in and out providing peppery musical commentary.
The musicians were hidden behind the show's clever scenic design by Allen Wright Shannon, but Andy Pratt on keyboard and as conductor, Lochlan Boebel on bass, Brian Donat on cello, Scott Horsington on reeds and Katrina Marlett Ruggiero on violin were sublime, performing this challenging score.
I am often reminded how fortunate we are in Rochester to have so many educational facilities with exceptional music and theatrical programs, as well as so many theaters that draw talented performers to Rochester. This show exemplifies their benefits.
Although this is indeed a dark tale that comes with the warning, “this script contains acts of violence, gore, depictions of sexual assault, child abuse and murder,” the incredible score performed by incredible singers and musicians, the memorable characters, and the dashing moments of levity, laced generously throughout by this talented cast under Brynn Tyszka’s masterful direction, make it an absolutely delicious production.
This show runs through September 22, 2024, and although they have added two additional performances, get your tickets quickly because the entire run is guaranteed to sell out. Tickets are $20 for students, $36.50 for Seniors, $38..50 regular price, and groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount.
Note: This show may be appropriate for mature teens, but younger children may find it too disturbing.
All photos by Ron Heerkens of Goat Factory Media, courtesy of Blackfriars Theatre.
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